Participants in the federal educational project «Farmer’s School, ” implemented on the basis of Stavropol State Agrarian University, visited the family winery „MARKO“ in the village of Donskaya Balka, Stavropol Krai. The field trip was devoted to studying modern agrotechnologies for cultivating vines, the technological nuances of winemaking, and the entrepreneurial aspects of running a small agribusiness.

The tour and production workshop for the participants was conducted by the farm’s technologist, Pavel Grabovsky. The expert provided future agri‑entrepreneurs with a detailed overview of the grape varieties grown in the vineyards, the influence of the region’s soil and climatic factors on the quality characteristics of the harvest, and the technological subtleties involved in producing various categories of wines.

During the field visit, special attention was paid to a detailed analysis of the production processes: from the initial processing of raw materials to fermentation, aging, bottling, and the conditions for long‑term storage of the finished product. A separate topic was the study of the complex technological cycles involved in creating classic sparkling wines, which require strict adherence to temperature, pressure, and microbiological control parameters at each stage.

In addition to the technological aspect, the meeting participants examined the company’s economic model in detail. The audience was told about the specifics of creating and managing a family agribusiness, the organizational and legal issues related to running a winery, as well as about developing effective product distribution channels and interacting with consumers.

Practical immersion in the work of existing agricultural enterprises is a key element of training at the «Farmer School.» Such field trips clearly demonstrate to the audience how fundamental knowledge, production discipline, and an proactive entrepreneurial approach combine to create a successful and profitable business in the agro‑industrial complex.

«Farmer’s School» is designed to ensure that participants learn from the real‑life experience of the region’s best practitioners. Viticulture and winemaking are historically significant and economically promising areas for Stavropol, requiring in‑depth technological knowledge, strict adherence to standards, and sound business planning. Getting acquainted with the work of a winery allowed the participants to see all the nuances of organizing family production from the inside: from caring for the vines to selling the finished product, ” noted Vladimir Sitnikov, rector of Stavropol State Agrarian University.

Stavropol State Agrarian University will continue to implement the «Farmer’s School» project in partnership with Rosselkhozbank. Field practical training sessions at leading production sites in the Stavropol Territory contribute to the development of professional management and technological competencies among participants, which are necessary for the successful development of small‑scale farming and rural areas.